Happy 2007!

Bas Geertsema

!!Happy New Year to everybody!!

At least for the ones that did celebrate it. Since the vietnamese people use a different calendar they celebrate newyear on next 19 feb! But that didn’t stop them from organising a big newyear party anyway. So I witnessed the ending of 2006 and the birth of 2007 this year without oliebollen, but with loempia’s. No oudejaarsconference, but a show of traditional vietnamese dances and music. No champagne, but Saigon_ beer. _And no fireworks but the sight of many vietnamese people going crazy at twelve o’clock. Yes, it was different. But yes, it was good :)

One thing was the same, though. After twelve o’clock we all set out for bars and clubs to party :)

The last two days I spend relaxing in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). I went to the war museum, which displays pictures that really makes you sick. Ofcourse every war is nasty. But destroying villages by using burning Napalm and skin-eating Phosphor is a twisted way of crushing your enemy. From the old guy on the bicycle that is out there to insult american tourists, to the almost propaganda communist videos in the museums, you can still see there is a an anti-american atmosphere here. The defeat of the americans, and the victory of the red north-vietnamese is seen as a liberation of Vietnam. And signs of communism? Well, at least here in Saigon there is not much visible to the eye. Big companies thrive. And although there is no McDonalds. a lot of western- style junkfood restaurants can be seen here. One thing is sure: the vietnamese people are proud of their culture’s survival!

Let me give you a feeling of Ho Chi Minh in everyday life. First .. there are many many many motorbikes. I’ve been told as much as 5 million motorbikes driving around everyday. On a total population of 8 million people. A common view of the city is motorbikes crossing the roads in a chaotic way. Crossing the roads is not without risks (my bag has been hit by a car’s mirror already, imagine how close) but, contrary to Bangkok, not impossible. Where in Bangkok drivers just keep on going, in Saigon they will as much as they can try to driver around you, as long as you slowly cross the streets. In the haze of the enginesmoke there are many foodstalls on the sidewalk, selling coconuts (to drink), beverages, fruits, noodlesoup of sandwiches. Especially the sandwiches, french baguette with pate, meat and vegetables is on of my favorites. And at a price of 5000dong, or about US$0.35, very cheap! For a lot of stuff you are charged tourist prices, which may be 4 times the price the locals pay. But since it is often not that expensive, it is ok. Besides the food, there are many kids trying to sell you books. Or actually copy of books (about $3, or less if you’re a hard bargain). There are not that many beggars here, I guess because they have a social wellfare here. And it is even easier to get marihuana here than in Holland, since every motorbike taxi driver is also whispering you they can provide you. (Or maybe it’s because I wear this ‘_Von Dutch’ _shirt). Fortunately, in between all the hectic grounds there are some beautiful parks when you can chill out… In all, I like the city. Compared to Bangkok it is a little bit less hectic (although this might change when the motorbikes will become cars!), and the city is kept tidy.

My stay in Vietnam is only a short two weeks, so I limit my trip to the big attractions. Starting tomorrow, my plan is to travel from the south to Hanoi in the north. But I will do this in 4 trips, and my first bus will bring me to Nha Trang, a busride of roughly 10 hours. Fortunately the buses are relative comfortable and have air-conditioning!

I hope eveybody’s big plans for 2007 will work out fine! Till next time!

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